Multiple offensive linemen, multiple wide receivers, cornerbacks, tight ends. Since Brian Gutekunst took over as the general manager in 2018, he has had an interesting trend. When attacking needs in the draft, the executive likes to add more than one player at the same position. And that's what he did once again in 2024.
One round after selecting Edgerrin Cooper, Gutekunst drafted another off-ball linebacker, getting Ty'Ron Hopper, from Missouri, with the 91st overall pick — Green Bay's original third-round selection.
Reach
However, that was probably a significant reach for the Packers. On the consensus big board, Hopper was the 173rd prospect. According to James Foster, A to Z Sports’ video analyst, he was a sixth-round prospect.
Draft profile (via James Foster)
Strengths
- Good feel for attacking the playside half of blocks & contorting his upper body
- Showed the ability to engage blocks with active hands & leverage his gap
- Played an advanced coverage role that will translate to the NFL
- Quick to break on underneath routes from zone coverage
- 1st step explosiveness to win early leverage
Weaknesses
- Average size & athletic traits
- Below average contact balance & lower-half strength to withstand centered blocks
- Has to grab at the jersey to keep up with vertical/seam routes
- Poor success rate as a tackler
- Lacks stopping power to stand up ball carriers at the sticks
- Rigid changing directions & resetting his pursuit angle
- Lacks pursuit speed to beat NFL athletes to the edge
Huge need
In a vacuum, not considering positional value and impact, linebacker might have been the most glaring need for the Packers entering the draft. The projected starters were Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie, which was obviously not an ideal scenario. The situation got better with the selection of Edgerrin Cooper with the 45th overall pick, but he and Walker, the most talented players in the room, are too similar.
The Packers were highly interested in Hopper, as he was a top-30 visit. Besides his defensive contributions, Hopper can also play special teams — he had almost 500 special teams snaps in college football.
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